The story of an inspector calls is set in 1912, although it was written in 1945; it is set the seemingly respectable town of Brumley. Living on the edge of the town is the Birling family; this consists of Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Sheila Birling and Eric birling. At the beginning of the play the family is having a small meal to celebrate the engagement of Gerald Croft and Sheila,

The Story starts as the Birling family is having a meal when unexpectedly an inspector rings at the door. The inspector explains to the family that a young woman had committed suicide. He then goes on to tell each member of the family that they had played a part in the suicide.

The interrogation of each of the family is different to Mrs Birling’s in that Mrs Birling refuses to take any responsibility for her actions; Mrs Birling shows no remorse for her actions which may have lead to Eva Smith’s death.

As Mrs Birling is being question the feeling that she is somewhat of a hypocrite, she is a self acclaimed charity worker and is the head of a charity organisation in which she helps woman. But as Eva Smith approaches the charity as a Miss Birling, a pregnant single woman with no where to go and no money, Mrs Birling is offended at this and refuses to give Eva Smith any money or help. By calling herself Mrs Birling priestly builds some dramatic tension as he hints that maybe a birling had something to do with Eva’s pregnancy. She also says that she has stopped receiving money off the father as she fears that it may be stolen. This is strange as at the time it would be frowned upon to have sex unmarried or even to have a child, yet when offered money for nothing she refuses as it may be stolen.As the Inspector further questions Mrs Birling she admits to being prejudiced towards Eva as she used the Birling family name in the charity organisation. Mrs Birling then goes on to admit she used her influence as the most prominent committee member to refuse Eva charity....

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